An easy recipe with a spicy kick that can be put on the table in 15 minutes: Spicy Asian Glazed Salmon! Salmon fillets are dressed with a simple sauce that acts as both a marinade and a glaze. Broil in the oven for moist flaky salmon that’s never overcooked. Plus, all those charred caramelized bits! The best salmon recipe with a ton of flavor for busy weeknights!
What is Spicy Asian Glazed Salmon?
Spicy Asian Glazed Salmon is a delicious dinner starring salmon and a mouthwatering spicy glaze made with Asian pantry ingredients. The star ingredient is Sambal Oelek, an Indonesian chilli sauce made from chillies and garlic. Together with soy sauce, vinegar, and sugar, it adds a spicy kick of flavor to mild, buttery salmon.
In our house, salmon is a popular dinner option. A family favorite and quick dinner that cooks up quickly and pairs well with different flavors. When I’m craving spicy-sweet flavor, this is one of my favorite recipes. Healthy, flavorful, and easy!
For best results, I recommend broiling in the oven until moist and flaky. The tops should develop a caramelized glaze. Brush more reserved marinade, right before serving, for an additional boost of flavor. YUM!
FYI: The oven broiler is my favorite way to cook salmon. Changing the heat source from the bottom of the oven to the top ensures the perfect texture and a sticky, caramelized glaze. The clean up is also minimal, since you only need a baking sheet. And it ensures moist, flaky salmon every time!
Serve as a main course with rice and your favorite veggies of choice. Edamame or bagged salad kits also make a nice and quick addition. A great option for busy weeknight dinners. One of those quick fish recipes where the leftovers taste great the next day, too.
More easy salmon recipes: Miso Maple Salmon Skewers, Salmon Ochazuke, or Salmon Poke Bowls, Miso Glazed Salmon. Or check out Easy Asian Dinners for more weeknight meal inspiration!
Ingredients:
- Salmon. Rich in health benefits like omega-3 fatty acids, protein, vitamins and minerals, and anti-oxidants. Salmon is good for your heart and full of anti-inflammation properties. For this recipe, cook individual portions of salmon OR one large filet to be served family-style. Look for fresh salmon with even thickness. That way, the salmon will cook evenly.
- Sambal Oelek. A fresh chili paste or sauce that’s spicy, smoky, and intensely flavorful. The texture is loose, similar to salsa, and there are visible chunks of garlic and chili seeds. A good substitute is Vietnamese Chilli Garlic Sauce. Or in a pinch, Sriracha.
- Vinegar. For that sharp, tangy kick of flavor! I like Rice Vinegar, which is a pantry staple. Or Apple Vinegar, a Korean vinegar that’s floral and slightly sweet. White distilled vinegar or apple cider vinegar also work.
- Soy Sauce. For umami depth and richness.
- Sugar. Adds sweetness and balances all the heat from the chili sauce. Can be subbed with maple syrup, honey, or agave.
How to make Easy Asian Salmon Recipe:
- Make glaze. In a small bowl, add the marinade ingredients. Stir until the sugar is completely dissolved. Reserve 1 Tbsp for later, in a separate bowl.
- Add glaze. Place salmon onto a sheet pan lined with aluminum foil. Using either a pastry brush or a spoon, add glaze to the salmon. Make sure to brush the sides of the salmon, as well as the tops, several times. It will look watery.
- BROIL. Transfer sheet pan to the pre-heated oven. Broil on high heat (6-8 minutes for individual portions, 8-10 minutes for larger filet). Do not overcook! The fish is cooked through when the fish flakes away easily and there are charred spots here and there on the top.
- Brush reserved glaze. While the cooked salmon is still hot, use a clean pastry brush to add a little extra glaze all over.
- Serve. Garnish with cilantro and/or sesame seeds. Serve with rice and steamed veggies. Enjoy!
PRO Tips:
- Line sheet pan with aluminum foil. For easier cleanup, as the marinade is sticky. (FYI: parchment paper will slightly burn.)
- Preheat the oven. A pre-heated oven ensures moist, flaky salmon that’s not overcooked. Turn the broiler on high and preheat for 10 minutes first.
- Rotate salmon. About halfway through the cooking process, rotate the sheet pan so the salmon is evenly cooked.
- Watch carefully! The glaze can burn easily. Keep an eye on the salmon in the last minute or two.
Helpful Kitchen Tools:
- Sheet Pan. A large, rimmed baking sheet that’s thick and won’t buckle in high heat is your BFF for this recipe! I like Nordic Ware sheets pans (affiliate).
- Silicone Brush. I recommend a silicone brush (affiliate) over a boar bristle brush, as it’s easier to clean and you won’t have to worry about loose hairs that fall out.
Serve with:
The bright, punchy flavors of Asian Glazed Spicy Salmon pair well with rice. Serve with regular white rice or brown rice. Coconut Rice or Korean Purple Rice also make nice options. Or swap wit quinoa or cauliflower rice for a low-carb meal.
For sides, keep it simple and serve with steamed vegetables (broccoli, green beans, cabbage), steamed edamame, or bagged salad kits. Other nice additions: Wakame Seaweed Salad, Korean Cucumber Salad, or Quinoa Arugula Salad.
Variations:
- Salmon Bites. For a fun, quick option, cube salmon into 1-inch salmon bites. A TikTok popular technique that ensures lots of crispy corners and charred edges. And a quick cooking time!
- Air Fryer. Asian Salmon is also Air Fryer friendly. Simply place in the pre-heated Air Fryer basket and cook at 400F for 6-8 minutes. Easy and convenient.
FAQ
Yes, absolutely! The chili sauce is quite spicy. If you prefer, halve the amount of the fresh chili sauce.
Yes, this Spicy Salmon recipe easily doubles and triples. If serving individual portions, make sure there’s enough space in between the salmon when broiling. That will ensure the salmon cooks evenly and gets those delicious charred edges.
If you don’t have Asian fresh chili sauce like Sambal Oelek or Vietnamese Chili Garlic Sauce, you can use sriracha. The flavor will be different but it’s a good substitute.
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container for 3-4 days. I do not recommend reheating. Instead, eat it cold for best flavor and no fishy smell.
More easy dinner recipes:
Easy Spicy Asian Glazed Salmon Recipe
Equipment
- small bowl
- sheet pan
- Silicone Brush
- parchment paper or aluminum foil
Ingredients
- 4 salmon fillets about 1 1/2 lbs total
Glaze
- 1 Tbsp Fresh Asian Chili Sauce, like Sambal Oelek or Vietnamese Chili Garlic Sauce
- 1 Tbsp sugar *can be subbed with maple syrup, honey, agave, or brown sugar
- 2 tsp soy sauce
- 1 tsp vinegar *rice vinegar, apple vinegar, or white vinegar
Instructions
- Prep oven and sheet pan. Position oven rack 3-4 inches from the heat element. Preheat oven to BROIL for 10 minutes. Line a sheet pan with parchment paper or foil for easier clean up.
- Make glaze. In a small bowl, mix together glaze ingredients. Make sure the sugar dissolves. Set aside. Reserve 1 Tbsp of glaze for later.
- Add glaze. Arrange salmon the sheet pan. Brush or spoon glaze onto the individual salmon fillets. Be generous with the glaze, making sure to brush the sides of the salmon as well as the tops, several times on each side.
- Broil. Transfer sheet pan to the pre-heated oven. Broil until cooked through and the fish flakes away easily, about 6-8 minutes for individual portions of salmon or 8-10 minutes for a salmon filet. About halfway through the cooking process, rotate the sheet pan so the salmon is evenly cooked. The glaze should be caramelized with little brown spots here and there.
- Serve and enjoy. Garnish with cilantro and sesame seeds, if desired. Serve immediately with rice and steamed vegetables of your choice.
Video
Notes
- Preheat the oven. A pre-heated oven is the trick for a moist, flaky salmon recipe that’s not overcooked. Preheat the broiler on high for 10 minutes.
- Look for salmon with even thickness. That way, the salmon will be moist and perfectly cooked throughout.
- Watch carefully! The glaze can burn easily. Keep an eye on the salmon in the last minute or two.
I made this tonight!! Turned out AMAZING and really easy to make!